ATV driveshafts/axles

[Conor]

Our team has been looking into options for our driveshafts and everybody tells us to use axles from small production vehicles. That's what we have now, and it's heavier than crap. The idea of using axles from an ATV with an independent rear suspension was tossed around. I was wondering if any teams have looked into, tried this, or anything of that sort. I don't see a lot of teams using this option when it seems like such a good choice. Is it because they wouldn't be strong enough? They're buit for multi purpose ATVs that see a lot of suspension abuse and have high torque outputs for towing things. The high torque would be a plus right? Either way, if anybody has information on the topic, it'd be very very helpful to our team. Thanks a lot!

[Conor]

Our team has been looking into options for our driveshafts and everybody tells us to use axles from small production vehicles. That's what we have now, and it's heavier than crap. The idea of using axles from an ATV with an independent rear suspension was tossed around. I was wondering if any teams have looked into, tried this, or anything of that sort. I don't see a lot of teams using this option when it seems like such a good choice. Is it because they wouldn't be strong enough? They're buit for multi purpose ATVs that see a lot of suspension abuse and have high torque outputs for towing things. The high torque would be a plus right? Either way, if anybody has information on the topic, it'd be very very helpful to our team. Thanks a lot!

[jsmooz]

We (Michigan - Dearborn) use the front diff and axles out of a Honda Rubicon. We haven't had any problems with them. The only thing is we cut them and sleeve them to make them longer. We use chromoly tube as the sleeve and weld like /------/. If you don't make you're end cuts at an angle the weld will break. (Search for the ATV diff thread and welded halfshaft thread for more info) We've also used these axles in our baja cars (more torque) without problems so they're definitey robust.

[Conor]

Thanks a lot man. The more I look into this stuff... the more I realize how truly heavy our car is. Can't wait to get my hands on some parts....